translation by mourningmoor
This week’s Eternal Legend featured Lim Cheol, a legendary singer who debuted in the late 1980s and still sells out concerts to this day.
As a legend among legends, Lim Cheol had many hit songs, and naturally, many singers hoped to perform his songs.
Jung Yongwoo, the MC of Eternal Legend, was also a fan of Lim Cheol, so expectations were high for this legendary stage.
What setlist would they choose? Which singers would be matched to which songs? Could those singers truly do justice to Lim Cheol’s iconic tracks? With these questions in mind, the show began.
Among the performers, one group stood out as particularly intriguing.
The idol group L.I.T.
To appear on Eternal Legend, one’s vocal skills had to be exceptional.
As a result, the lineup of performers was usually predictable.
Solo singers known as vocal powerhouses, musical actors, or occasionally some traditional Korean musicians would take turns performing.
Of course, idols sometimes appeared, but they were often overshadowed by the overwhelming vocal prowess of the soloists or the incredible stage presence of the musical actors, leaving them to exit the stage in bitter disappointment.
But this time, L.I.T had boldly stepped forward.
And of all stages, they chose Lim Cheol’s legendary performance.
During rehearsals, I didn’t pay much attention. I was busy chatting over coffee with the regular performers in the waiting room.
When it was time for the main performance, I returned to the venue, and the atmosphere felt strange.
The assistant director, with a slightly flushed face, kept giving thumbs up while talking to the filming director. The filming director also seemed to have witnessed something extraordinary, his face filled with excitement.
And it wasn’t just the two of them.
Most of the filming staff were in a similar state.
“What’s going on? Did Min Jungwook tear up the stage again?”
It was obvious.
Min Jungwook, the vocalist who hadn’t missed the top spot in weeks, must have delivered another jaw-dropping performance.
Earlier, I saw him bring along a children’s choir of about twenty kids. The sheer numbers alone were overwhelming.
“Isn’t it amazing? The harmony with the choir is great, right?”
But the answer I got was unexpected.
The assistant director quickly shook his head, his face glowing with excitement as he replied.
“Not Min Jungwook. L.I.T.”
“Who?”
“L.I.T. The idol group. You know, the ones who sang—”
I had heard the name before.
In fact, I had seen them on TV a few times.
I remembered them from a cosmetics commercial and a congratulatory performance at the SBN Drama Awards. They were pretty kids who put on quite an energetic stage, which surprised me a bit, but at the end of the day, I thought, “They’re just idols.”
Mass-produced products from a factory.
“What? Are they that good?”
“Their vocals aren’t as strong as Min Jungwook’s.”
The assistant director’s voice trembled with excitement, and his cheek twitched slightly as he continued.
“But the overall stage is a masterpiece.”
A masterpiece?
An idol group, young and inexperienced. It felt like a waste to use such a word for them. Yet, at the same time, I felt a sense of anticipation.
Could this be the fresh wind that the show, which had been running in the same format for so long, needed?
And his expectations were 200% fulfilled when L.I.T took the stage as the third performer.
* * *
The song L.I.T chose was Lim Cheol’s In the Dream.
Sitting in the corner of the waiting room among senior artists, L.I.T had been diligently reacting to the performances. When their name was called as the third performer, they stood up.
After bowing respectfully, they left the waiting room, and the screen transitioned.
L.I.T, dressed not in stage costumes but in neat casual wear, quietly entered the interview room.
They sat down one by one, then greeted with a chant.
“Two, three, hello. We are L.I.T.”
A subtitle appeared with the question.
<The song you chose today is In the Dream. What was the reason for choosing it?>
“Well, the melody is soothing, and the lyrics are beautiful. Combined with Lim Cheol sunbaenim’s lyrical voice, it felt like reading a poem.”
<So, does L.I.T also focus on lyricism?>
“Yes, we tried to create a lyrical stage. Of course, we wanted to convey it in our own color.”
<Any words before the stage?>
“We’d like to thank Lim Cheol sunbaenim for creating such a beautiful song and for singing it.”
“Sunbaenim. Thank you.”
Then the screen gradually darkened.
Back on stage, the camera focused on MC Jung Yongwoo.
“The monster rookie idol group that swept eight rookie awards like a comet, L.I.T.”
A faint blue light illuminated the dark stage.
The deep blue light symbolized the night, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere.
Then, the sound of a cello echoed distantly.
It was the main melody of In the Dream.
Lim Cheol, sitting in the legend seat, raised an eyebrow.
“Huh? This slow?”
The tempo was noticeably slower than the original.
I expected an idol group to speed it up, but they defied expectations.
At that moment, black branches resembling willow trees slowly descended onto the stage. From the sides of the stage, tree trunks slowly emerged.
It felt like watching a shadow play.
The black of the tree props blended with the deep blue background, creating a unique atmosphere.
The deep, resonant cello sound added an eerie touch.
The sound changed. The tempo increased.
The cello was joined by a violin, then a viola and a double bass added depth.
“A string quartet for In the Dream?”
In the Dream was one of Lim Cheol’s most lyrical songs, performed with just piano, guitar, and vocals.
It’s a song about wanting to enter a lover’s dream every night and whisper love into their ear—a very ticklish piece of music.
But they had rearranged it for a string quartet, completely transforming its texture.
“How did they come up with this arrangement? And what are they trying to show by changing it like this…?”
Just then.
Five shadows gracefully emerged from behind the tree trunks, performing elegant choreography. The sight was strangely captivating.
The lights brightened slightly, revealing the shadows’ true forms.
L.I.T, dressed in black suits with different designs, continued their choreography with cold, expressionless faces.
Four members extended their hands, brushing past one member’s body.
Then, that member began to sing.
Gently, I’ve descended. Here, in your dream. In your heart.
With every step, I scatter my love for you. My song.
Don’t be afraid. You invited me into your dream.
From now on, I am the ruler of your dream. You are the slave of my love.
The voice was incredibly charming. A unique, sweet tone that delighted the ears. It was like sweet ice cream.
The eyes were as captivating as the voice, and above all, the singer knew how to convey emotion with their entire body.
Lim Cheol, slightly surprised, called the PD sitting in front of him.
“Who’s that? The main vocal?”
“No. That’s the lead vocal.”
“Really?”
Well, the voice was too sweet to be the main vocal.
But if the lead vocal is this good, then the main vocal must be…
Unspoken expectations began to rise.
Shall I gently approach and caress you? Shall I kiss you?
There’s no need to hesitate. This is just your dream.
I’ll embrace you in your dream and whisper my love.
Your heart is mine. I desire you passionately.
Lim Cheol couldn’t help but let out a gasp.
This vocalist’s balance was impeccable.
The voice had just the right weight and power, making it incredibly alluring.
Moreover, the precision in their movements and facial expressions was almost frightening.
The seductive glances and gestures made his heart tremble involuntarily.
“Is this the main vocal?”
“No. This is also the lead vocal. He’s the team leader.”
Wait, this one’s also a lead vocal?
How many good singers are in this group?
And in the next part, the power of the main vocal was confirmed.
The main vocal’s volume was indeed explosive.
The clean tone and skillful technique were impressive.
They’re still young, but they’ll be something else when they grow up.
Lost in the music, Lim Cheol forgot that this was his song and simply enjoyed the moment.
Then, it suddenly hit him.
“This is horror, isn’t it?”
The stage setup and arrangement were heavy yet eerie.
The choreography was static yet dazzling, and the expressions were cold yet seductive.
It felt like a fire was burning in his chest, yet his spine tingled.
Though he couldn’t see each member’s expression clearly from a distance, the cold, flashing glances were thrillingly captivating.
“They’re incubi. Demons who infiltrate dreams.”
“Demons?”
Hearing the PD’s answer, Lim Cheol couldn’t help but be amazed.
They had transformed a song about longing to meet a lover in a dream into a tale of demons seducing humans in their dreams.
No wonder the choreography was so sensual.
An accordion joined the string quartet.
The tempo, which had been gradually increasing, now shifted into a vibrant tango style.
The lights brightened further, and a red hue blended into the blue background, creating a purple glow.
Naturally, the choreography became more dazzling.
The five men lined up and performed tango-infused moves, and I was so captivated that I forgot to blink.
No, I was afraid to blink, fearing I might miss even a single moment.
At the climax, the stage was bathed in a blood-red light.
It seemed the demon’s seduction had reached its peak.
I wish you wouldn’t wake from this dream. (Don’t wake)
Stay in this dream forever. (Don’t wake)
Wherever my touch reaches, your heart trembles.
The 90s’ nostalgic sentiment, combined with the lyrical melody of In the Dream, was reborn as a sophisticated performance piece by L.I.T.
The knife-sharp group choreography in the chorus was the highlight of the performance.
Slowly, gently, walk into my arms.
Give me your very soul.
Then I’ll give you a gift. Eternal happiness.
The sound of shoes tapping the stage in a steady rhythm made his heart dance along. Goosebumps covered his entire body.
As the song ended, the accordion faded away, followed by the double bass, viola, and violin, one by one.
Only the cello remained, echoing eerily on the stage.
The five men returned to being five shadows, retreating behind the tree trunks as if rewinding a spring.
Finally, the cello faded, and silence enveloped the stage.
The lights went out.
Silence also fell over the audience.
Breaking the silence, Lim Cheol clapped and stood up.
Simultaneously, thunderous applause erupted.